It wasn't quite a sellout at Fenway Park on Saturday morning, as fans crowded the lower areas of the ballpark for a prime view of the stage where the Red Sox players appeared one by one. Outside the ballpark, though, an estimated 2 million people were waiting. They lined the streets of Boston in waves 10 rows deep. They held signs, wore fake beards, sported painted faces, cheered at unprompted moments and produced MVP chants whenever David Ortiz made a gesture. More >

Viewership for the entire postseason increased 20 percent from last year -- to an average of 6.3 million -- across FOX, TBS and MLB Network, the largest single-year increase since 2009. From the Wild Card games to the Division Series, League Championship Series and World Series, viewership increased for each round, in addition to July's All-Star Game in New York. More >

The World Series parade will launch from Fenway Park at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, as the freshly-minted champions keep in line with a recent Boston tradition and gather into duck boats for a tour around what is sure to be a joyous city. More >

John Lackey, who won the second Fall Classic clincher of his career, World Series MVP Award winner David Ortiz and Shane Victorino, who drove in four runs in Game 6, helped to lift the Red Sox to their third title in the past 10 seasons. More >

Despite falling short of winning his first World Series ring, Carlos Beltran spoke on Wednesday as a man nevertheless fulfilled by the deepest October run of his 16-year career. He's not done seeking that championship, either, insistent that, at 36 years old, he still has a few more baseball years remaining. What's unknown, though, is what uniform Beltran will be wearing when he gives it his next try. More >

In John Farrell's estimation, John Lackey is the poster child for this year's team. Everything went wrong for Lackey in 2011. Surgery robbed him of his entire 2012 season. Around him, the Red Sox spiraled out of control, falling from perennial contention to last place. But there Lackey was late Wednesday, staring at the World Series trophy. More >

The Cards won a National League-best 97 games, and not because they loaded up their roster with high-priced acquisitions or because they took advantage of a weak division or because they were inordinately fortunate in the health department. More >

Chris Carpenter is one of the Cardinals' highest-profile free agents, along with outfielder Carlos Beltran, erstwhile closer Edward Mujica and injured shortstop Rafael Furcal. Right-hander Jake Westbrook will join the list if the Cardinals decline their half of his $9.5 million mutual option. More >

The Cardinals and Red Sox were the best teams in their respective leagues in large part because of their work at the plate. In the World Series, however, it was Boston's lineup that came through more often with runners in scoring position. More >

Four key contributors to the Red Sox's World Series run could be taking the field for different clubs next spring, as Boston has until 5 p.m. ET on Monday to decide whether to extend qualifying offers to free agents Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mike Napoli and Stephen Drew. More >

Matt Carpenter didn't look over his shoulder Wednesday night at a celebration 95 years in the making. But the second baseman hopes it's the beginning of a long, hard trip back to a Fall Classic that will end with the Cardinals -- full of youthful contributors, like himself -- jumping in jubilation. More >

Before Michael Wacha walked off the mound for the last time as a rookie, hanging his head for the first time in more than a magical month, the Cardinals' veteran catcher stepped into the way. Yadier Molina's gesture itself was clear: a show of respect for a 22-year-old who helped carry St. Louis far enough to play a World Series Game 6 in the first place. More >

The ugly truth is that this was a somewhat ugly World Series showing for the National League champs, though it is a credit to their character that even at their ugliest, the Cardinals still took the Red Sox to a Game 6. More >

There are no perfect endings after life and limb are lost, but this was the best thing this great American city could hope for Wednesday night. The Red Sox won the 109th World Series, beating the Cardinals in six games, and took the next step in a healing process that followed the Patriots' Day bombings at the Boston Marathon. More >

Commissioner Bud Selig presented the World Series trophy to the Red Sox. Then he presented the Most Valuable Player Award to David Ortiz. And then, as Selig walked across the Fenway Park grass, his joy reflected that of the sellout crowd that was celebrating all around him. More >